Music Monday: Clean by Taylor Swift

Music Monday: Clean by Taylor Swift

Everybody knows Taylor Swift, and she has so many good songs. Many of them are based on heartbreak, and this is a synth-pop ballad based on that same feeling. Yet, the song has parallels about overcoming addiction and mental health struggles. I settled on “Clean” as the end point for April because it feels like the right conclusion. I have taken you on a bit of a musical journey starting with an acoustic sound from 2024, then going back to the 1960s and 70s, and now ending here.

For many people, Taylor is seen as overrated, yet she speaks to a generation of people about heartbreak and the troubles of life. “Clean” is songwriting at its finest, taking you on an emotional journey that goes deep. It was not a mainstream single, yet it feels like how music should be, with an artist truly expressing themselves. It is a sad yet hopeful ballad and serves as the closing track to her 1989 album.

The synth sounds here feel very much like water dropping or the sound of rain. It makes it feel very different from normal pop songs. There are two versions of the song, “Taylor’s Version” and the original one, and I had to listen to both. Taylor seems to prefer the more mature, cleaner sound of the newer version, and both feature those same synth sounds. However, Taylor’s vocals are so much stronger and rawer in the original. That is the standout thing I noticed. It is a minor difference, but I sort of prefer the older version.

The reason two versions exist is due to Taylor losing the rights to her master recordings. Nobody told her about the sale at the time, but long story short, she eventually bought them back again. The result is that she now owns the originals and the new versions. It is a massive victory for her.

I do not consider myself to be a “Swiftie” or a massive fan, but I know her work. I was pleasantly surprised when I heard this just how good it was. It captures that moment when the rain finally stops and you realize you have made it through. It is the perfect clean slate to end the month of renewal.